{Connie Mooy} Connie Lin Mooy
2nd Grade Teacher
Calvin Smith Elementary

"I want children to love going to school. I have a profession that I love and feel that I am making a difference in the lives of children and the world."

Throughout her 22 years as an educator, Connie Mooy of Calvin Smith Elementary has held firm to the adage “it can be done”, and has instilled that attitude in her students. She openly accepts all students regardless of challenges they may have. This year she has an autistic student and one that is a self-selected mute. She naturally designs plans not only for the students with special needs, but for her entire class that ultimately helps students increase their self confidence. She has served as a Reading Specialist and was a supervisor for the University of Utah Reading Clinic. Her vast knowledge and willingness to assist her colleagues in creating strategies and plans helps all students succeed.

"My philosophy in teaching is that it is a partnership with the home. I teach to the very standard I want for my own children. I love teaching and want it to be clearly evident in all I do."

{Ray Barton} David Ray Barton
Mathematics/Chinese Teacher
Olympus High School

"This is a great time to be a math teacher. I can imagine many jobs that are interesting, but not many where you can also make such a difference in lives."

Motivating students to excel beyond what they had perceived to be their full potential is one of Ray Barton’s greatest strengths. The variety of instructional materials, teaching strategies, and the use of technology that he incorporates into his classroom is evidence of the energy and thoughtful structure he uses to engage students. Not only has he taught AP BC Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Computer Science and Chinese for the past 27 years at Olympus High, but he has also taught at the University of Utah for 24 years and is a consultant for Texas Instruments. His approachability and interactive style creates a positive teaching environment by encouraging students to take responsibility for their own education.

"I have been able to work on a daily basis for twenty-seven years with amazing people. I love the creativity that is possible in this profession. I am fascinated with mathematics. How many people get to do a job that fascinates?"

{Jan Rolan} Jan Rolan
5th and 6th Grade teacher
Oakridge Elementary

"I believe the greatest challenge that I face as a teacher is the duty to prepare students for jobs that have not yet been created, and to provide them with the tools to become responsible citizens."

As a teacher of all grades from first through eighth, Jan Rolan added an M.Ed in Educational Technology to her resume just last year. Her high use of technology keeps her on the cutting edge and engages her students in every subject. She artfully provides experiences and not just information. For example, when studying the Middle Ages, sixth grade students participate in a jousting tournament and experience a day in the life of a monk. Jan teaches to the individual abilities of each child and uses her talents to help each child learn according to what is best for him or her. She encourages students to become responsible adults and has been able to motivate them to find ways to help make the world a better place.

"As I enter my classroom, it is my goal to make sure that each child knows that I believe in him or her. Students may not remember everything that I taught them, but hopefully every one of them will remember how much I believed in them and their success."

{Steve Prasad} Stephen Prasad
Psychologist
Silver Hills Elementary

"Growing up has become more difficult for children than in the past because they are exposed to more adult issues. I try to give kids the opportunity to talk about their issues without dwelling on them. Giving them a chance to be heard is what they need."

In his quiet yet supportive approach, Steven Prasad of Silver Hills Elementary is instrumental in calming students’ fears from the trauma they are facing, keeping the staff focused on the needs of each child and being the greatest cheerleader for the medially challenged kids. Mr. Prasad is truly an outstanding psychologist who values each student’s strengths and works to help each child succeed and believe in their own abilities, by listening and knowing their loves, their fears, their strengths, and their weaknesses. He is a great support to the staff, always willing to help with activities, to listen and support teachers with concerns, and to share ideas to help them overcome struggles whether in their classrooms or their lives.

"Every child in the school is my child. Every child needs to feel that there is someone on their side. I am that someone."

{Cynthia Moyle} Cynthia Moyle
Media Teacher
Matheson Junior High

"There is nothing like helping a student who has never read a book from cover to cover, to find just the right book that gives him or her that moment."

The Matheson Media Center has become a model center for the Granite School District, and it’s all due to the untiring efforts of Cynthia Moyle. Ms. Moyle began and maintains a school-wide project entitled “Book of the Month”. She displays the books in a showcase at the school, advertises the books chosen, and orders several copies of each book to enable students to check it out. Because of the popularity of the program, students are placed on a waiting list to obtain the book. In her “Paws to Read” program, the students and teachers were able to read over 5,000 books last year. The ambitious objective set by Ms. Moyle for this year is 7,000 books, and the school is well on its way to achieving that goal.


"I believe that if a student can read, he or she can achieve just about anything. The library is a safe haven for students that just want a quiet place to sit and read, study, or just talk to someone. Many of the students have difficult home lives and the library and reading provide an escape from their problems."

{Byron Longhurst} Byron L. Longhurst
1st Grade teacher
Carl Sandburg Elementary

"I enjoy seeing the spark of learning in the students."

After twelve years of working in business management, Byron Longhurst changed his profession to teaching knowing that financially it would be a huge lifestyle change. But after volunteering at Robert Frost Elementary for two years on his lunch hour, he knew it was a change he had to make. Fortunate are the students who are nurtured and taught in Mr. Longhurst’s first grade class. His classroom is arranged in neatness, form and function. Children learn order and thrive in the nurturing environment he provides. He loves to have fun and laugh with the students, but he also has a calm and warm demeanor that tells the children they are safe, loved and respected.

"I have always been able to relate to and understand children. This has given me the gift of patience. I always promise my students that I will never yell or put them down. I have never broken these promises."

{Susan Moore} Susan O. Moore
Business
Granger High School

"Teaching is the development of a relationship with students, besides transmitting knowledge and skills."

Step into the halls of Granger High School and you step into a world where thirty-one different languages are spoken. It’s in this world that Susan Moore not only thrives, but excels in reaching her student population. She has learned to be creative in her lesson plans and has found that the cultures and traditions of each of the nationalities require special knowledge to effectively deal with each individual student. She has a desire to be involved in all aspects of school, as is evidenced by her work as Student Body Advisor and scorekeeper for Boys’ Basketball, Baseball and Volleyball teams. Society needs positive role models to help influence youth, and Susan Moore is grateful for the opportunity to help young adults reach their potential.

"Helping the students see the unique advantage they have at Granger working together and learning from each other will increase their success when working with others in society."

{Kelly Kline} Kelly R. Kline
2nd Grade Teacher
Crestview Elementary

"I cannot control what time my students go to bed or if they have breakfast before they leave for school. I cannot control what they see in the outside world, but I can let them know they matter to me and their opinions and contributions are valued."

With four generations of Utah teachers before her, Kelly Kline was born into education. She is keenly aware of the gifted circumstances in which she teaches and is in awe of all the resources at her fingertips; resources that her ancestors would never be able to imagine. But she also knows that being a child these days is not an easy job. Kelly laughs with her students while helping them see the humorous side of life in an educational setting. Students soar in reading and comprehension under her tutelage. They are very obedient to their beloved teacher, not because she commands it, but because she loves and respects them and they love and respect her.

"I am a teacher because I enjoy the enthusiasm, honesty and intelligence of young children. I enjoy the challenge it offers me in making changes on a daily basis to improve the lives of others"

{Tony Ivans} Tony Ivins
Biology and Health
Granite Peaks High School

"Teaching in an alternative setting presents itself with challenges, but provides for more opportunities for turning kids lives around against the odds of dysfunctional families and drugs. There are many things I cannot change in their lives, but I do have control of what kind of educational atmosphere they have in my classroom."

Connecting with students to help them see their own worth is the special gift that Tony Ivins gives to his students at Granite Peaks High School. Granite Peaks is a unique school in that all of the students come there by way of prior failure. These kids are unable to find success in the traditional comprehensive high school, but the magic that Mr. Ivins works with the students sets them on their way to becoming successful. The students even surprise themselves with what they accomplish. Although Tony is humble and soft-spoken, he is loved and respected by his students and colleagues. He has high expectations for his students, and they respond to his invitation to excel.

"I have enjoyed education throughout my life and have admired those that had an impact upon my own life. I want to have that kind of influence upon the next generation so as to inspire and uplift the human soul."

{Sherri Branch} Sherri Branch
Reading
Jefferson Junior High

"I believe education is more than just academics. Junior high students are at a very vulnerable age, and just need to know that someone is there who will listen and truly care."

Sherri Branch has been instrumental in the promotion and professional development for literacy at Jefferson Junior High. She did such a great job developing the program that the school met AYP for the first time last year. Sherri has been both the Reading Teacher of the Year in Granite School District and in the State. But her greatest goal is to get kids to think. Each year she tells her students, "I have three goals - the first one is to learn how to think. The second is to become a better reader, and third is to become a better writer. I'm going to teach you how to think, and if you catch some reading and writing along the way, then great!"

"One will not survive teaching in a junior high setting without having a sense of humor. Junior high kids are a unique breed. A sense of humor helps to relate to the kids and to keep things real."